zen mind, yoga body retreats
With Samantha Ostergaard & Robert Thomas
Explore the integration of yoga practice and Zen meditation as complementary spiritual practices.
The ancient traditions of yoga and Zen together form an effective path to achieving a deep sense of clarity, stability, and relaxation, allowing you to enjoy the natural radiance of your body and mind. Long-time practitioners of yoga and Zen Buddhism, Samantha and Robert will support and guide the group through sessions of active and restorative yoga, sitting meditation, and lively group discussion.
The yoga practice, based in the Iyengar style, will be for all levels. The yoga sessions will include active and restorative postures to prepare our minds and bodies for meditation.
In 2010 we will offer this retreat at Tassajara, Green Gulch Farm, and at the Zen Center in San Francisco.
Each retreat will have a different focus, for those who would like to attend more than one. See below for dates, registration, and for what people are saying about these retreats!
If you have any questions or concerns about participating in a retreat, don't hesitate to contact Samantha at yoga@samanthaostergaard.com.
at san francisco zen center
Sunday, April 11, 2010
San Francisco, California
This day-long retreat will take place in the Buddha Hall at the Zen Center on Page and Laguna Streets. Lunch is not provided. Please follow this link for more information and to register.
at green gulch farm zen center
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Sausalito, California
In this day-long retreat the yoga practice will focus on postures to open the upper back and release the shoulders for a comfortable meditation posture.
We will practice together in the Yurt at Green Gulch Farm Zen Center, where you can enjoy the gardens and walk to the beach before or after the retreat. Lunch is provided. For more information please visit the Zen Center website here.
To register please call the Green Gulch Farm Zen Center office at 415.383.3134 or email the office at ggfoffice@sfzc.org.
at tassajara zen mountain center
Three weekends in summer 2010:
June 25-27 (Fri-Sun)
July 23-25 (Fri - Sun)
August 20-22 (Fri-Sun)
Carmel Valley, California
In these weekend retreats at Tassajara, we will practice yoga and zazen in the Tassajara meditation hall. The weekend format will give us the time to offer a session dedicated to helping you with your challenges with a seated meditation posture.
Registration for these popular workshops will begin in February 2010. Register early to ensure your place!
To register, please visit the San Francisco Zen Center website for Tassajara reservations.
what people say about
zen mind, yoga body retreats
“Samantha, you and Robert are the real deal.
I was honored to study with you both for the day…
you were both so open and loving and gentle and real and knowledgeable, that I came away completely satisfied.” -TMF
“I had a fantastic time doing the retreat. It really helped center my mind and body before embarking on my new journey, and it definitely helped allay my fears about meditation. The times we spent at the end of yoga sessions just sitting were very rewarding. One of the things I liked best about the way you taught yoga is that, without exception, my body felt incredibly better afterwards. And not only better and more limber, but also somehow more stable. My legs felt more connected to the earth, and more able to support the rest of me.”
-Rudi
"My experience of the weekend workshop Zen Mind, Yoga Body was very positive. Samantha and Robert provided the group with an inspiring blend of yoga practice and zen meditation that was warm, non-judgemental and fun. They took great care to address everyone's needs, and encouraged each person to stretch their own comfort zone. At the end of the three days I returned home rejuvenated, muscles stretched and peaceful inside. Overall the retreat was a wonderful experience, and I thank you both for your mindful presence, good humor, commitment and wisdom." -BR
“The retreat was truly a "treat" to myself. I have had a busy year emotionally and physically and I've felt a strong need to connect with myself (and the rest of the world) with the help of a meditation practice. This was a wonderful introduction to the process.... I came to the retreat thinking I wanted something but was grateful to be given what I needed. Both my mind and body got a good "wringing out" and I left with a sense of openness all around.” –Brit
“I have enjoyed the two workshops with you and Robert tremendously and both times I have come away feeling very grounded and only wanting more…I will be eager to attend your future workshops and hope I will have the opportunity to learn from you both again soon.” -Nina
"I came to realize that mind is no other than mountains and rivers and the great wide earth, the sun and the moon and the stars."
~Dogen
